Diarra is riding high on south coast tide

The £5million capture from Arsenal has been keen to play down comments that he viewed his move to Fratton Park as a stepping stone to better things. Underused and feeling unloved during five months at Arsenal and two seasons at Chelsea, he has left few in doubt of his quality at Portsmouth.

Point made: Kranjcar after his winner

And while his words about his stay at Portsmouth potentially being a short one were ill-advised, it seems the Fratton Park dressing room has been only too happy to welcome a player of Diarra's ability.

Having endured a similar fate, former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson was quick to praise Diarra's start after his reunion with the France international on the south coast.

'I know him from when were together at Chelsea,' said Johnson. 'He didn't suffer it as long as I did but he has been down pretty much the same road as me.

'We are happy to have him here and it is good for him to be playing every week. He is brilliant. He is like a young Makelele with pace.'

Niko Kranjcar chose to view the capture of Diarra as a sign of just how far Portsmouth have come during Harry Redknapp's second stint at the club. And the Croat international sees nothing wrong with a player setting his sights high.

'Chelsea and Arsenal don't go for players who don't have quality,' reasoned Kranjcar. 'You don't play for the Under 21s or the senior French team if you are not a quality player.

'You take a step at a time in your career but your final goal is always to get as high as you can and do everything you can to achieve that.'

Likewise, Redknapp has no doubt Diarra will have a positive influence on his side while the addition today of Lyon's Milan Baros on loan further enhances the quality resources at the club.

As for trophies, if Redknapp's side can steer clear of one of the 'Big Four' in today's fifth round draw, this season may afford Portsmouth their best chance of lifting the famous old trophy since 1939.

However, they will need to up their game. David James was by far the busier goalkeeper while Plymouth's electric start was rewarded inside five minutes when debutant Chris Clark's deflected shot put the visitors ahead.

Rory Fallon, Jermaine Easter and Peter Halmosi all came close to increasing Plymouth's lead before Diarra settled Portsmouth's nerves, his deflected 20-yard strike deceiving Luke McCormick.

Kranjcar added a second from close range on the stroke of halftime, capitalising on a slip by Paul Connolly. But Plymouth kept their opponents rattled after the break, forcing another three stops from James, and were unlucky not be handed a late penalty when Sylvain Distin appeared to handle in the area. James' assertion in his programme notes that he would like to play for Plymouth before he retires was little consolation to their manager Paul Sturrock. 'I'm pleased to hear that,' he said. 'One day maybe, who knows? But he could have let one in today.'

Redknapp, meanwhile, is determined to improve on his record in the competition. 'I've never got anywhere near in the FA Cup. The quarter-finals, I think, a few years ago when we lost to Arsenal,' he said.

PORTSMOUTH (4-4-2): James 8; Johnson 6, Pamarot 5, Distin 6, Hreidarsson 6; Lauren 4 (Davis 67min, 6), Pedro Mendes 5 (Hughes 90), Diarra 7, Kranjcar 7; Nugent 5 (Mvuemba 46, 6), Benjani 6. Booked: Pamarot.

PLYMOUTH (4-4-2): McCormick 6; Connolly 6, Timar 7, Doumbe 6, Sawyer 6; Clark 6 (Folly 82), Nalis 6, Norris 7, Halmosi 7, Fallon 6, Easter 7 (Jutkiewicz 75). Booked: Halmosi, Doumbe.

Man of the Match: David James.

Referee: Andre Marriner.